“Ego malo mihi vitrea, certe non olunt”

AbstractThis paper presents the spatial and temporal distribution of square bottles in Pannonia and their frequency on different settlement types. Although a full catalogue of the relevant finds has not been assembled yet, a wealth of data is nevertheless available on this glass type/form. Also described are several new base marks that have hitherto not been attested in the Roman Empire. It would appear that these mould-blown vessels appeared in Pannonia at the end of the first century, reaching the height of their popularity in the second century, while only a few vessels are known from the late Roman period. In terms of their distribution, the use of these bottles was particularly widespread along the limes, especially around military forts. However, they can also be found in the province's interior, particularly around Baláca. Several of the burial mounds excavated in Transdanubia also yielded vessels of this type. Their use in the province's interior seems to be slightly different, as they are often found in burials. In the settlements along the limes in the Danube Basin, however, they are more likely to have been used in military contexts or as military equipment and not deposited in burials.